Your excellency, your first visit to this country is long overdue and we are delighted that on this occasion there was no last minute postponement. I accept full responsibility for the postponement of your visit in June. Although the clash of dates with the general election was unfortunate, I was always confident that I would be in a position to renew the invitation personally after the election, and I am glad that the visit is now taking place. [end p1]
Although I have not yet had the pleasure of visiting Baghdad, I have heard much about the ambitious development plans which have transformed Baghdad in recent years and I am delighted that a number of British firms have been able to participate in this development. It is encouraging that this progress has continued despite the sad and costly war with Iran which all of us sincerely hope will soon be ended. [end p2]
I am also aware that there are a number of similarities between our two countries. I know that Iraq, like Britain, is blessed with a remarkable diversity of scenery and peoples, and the two countries also enjoy substantial oil riches in a world where this precious commodity means so much to our future prosperity.
We attach great importance to our relations with Iraq and we earnestly hope that these relations will be further strengthened as a result of your visit.